New Things Since October 2012

So, my blogging has been on hiatus since January 2012. Lots of things have happened since then. I think it's important for me to give a rundown of a few pertinent facts that have transpired in that time period:
1.) Jamie is now 7 years old. She was 2 when I went on a blogging break. She's in second grade at SJS (a Catholic school).
2.) I'm now working for an engineering company (not as an engineer - although I could have gotten an engineering degree in the time since my last post in 2012). I did not. I work "behind the scenes".
3.) Jojo now works for a multi-national company in LA. He's still in IT. But he's now a big shot IT executive.
4.) We still live in the same house but have had several renovations since then. It's the same house but not the same house.
5.) My sister Joy got married on April 2012. My brother Jules got married in 2017. My brother Jim got engaged just this month. I have a wonderful brother in law and two wonderful sisters in law.
6.) Since 2012, I have two more nephews and 2 more nieces on Jojo's side and 1 more niece and 1 more on the way on my side. Our family is growing!
7.) In 2013 we found out Jamie has food allergies. Bad food allergies. We've lived in fear for her life. But in 2015 we heard of a fantastic doctor who treated such allergies. We signed up to see him and a year later we started the program. It's been 2+ years since and true blue miracles have happened / are happening. I know I'll blog more about that in a separate entry at some point.
8.) I now drive a Honda Pilot. I used to think I would never drive anything so massive. But now, I can't imagine downsizing.
9.) I still like to read and have probably what can be considered a book addiction. I seriously have fears of running out of books to read. I worry about finishing the current book I am reading and not having another one to take its place. So I order books and then commiserate about not having time to read the all. Although I secretly love having a stack of books to read whenever I want. Sounds crazy to others but completely rational to me.
10.) I'm still talking myself into exercising more and trying to lose weight. It's been a long time since I started doing this and I've had my share of ups and downs - it's been a struggle. But the good news is I have not given up on myself and I know it will happen ... eventually. =)

Allie's Arrival

Yesterday (October 27th, Manila time), my niece, Allie was born. She is the daughter of my brother, Jules, and his wife, Juliene. We have been waiting for her arrival for quite some time now and seeing their first family picture brought me an emotional realization. Although I've been shopping for baby clothes for Allie, I've sent Juliene lotions for stretch marks, and I've been giving them parenting advice, it was seeing the photo of their three happy faces that made everything so real. I think it was seeing my brother's face right next to his new daughter that made me realize - he's a dad! And now I'm all sentimental.

Jules is three years younger than me. That makes him 40 years old! He is hardly a kid anymore. But, for me, he will forever be my kid brother. The one I laugh and joke with, the one I call silly names (Julsie Pogs, Pyugi), the one who I am protective towards, and the one I always feel I need to look out for. It's just a little bit surreal to see him married and now become a father as well. It's surreal but in a good kind of way.

I wish him the very best. Parenthood is an amazing journey and he is in for quite a ride. I know he'll do great. He and Juliene will be fantastic parents. Allie is lucky to have them. But I know too, that along the way, if he needs me, I'm still going to be there for Jules. And that now goes for his family as well. I'll still be there for my kid brother, after all, a big sister's job is never done =)

I'm Back

Testing this out. It’s been over 6 years since my last post. So much has changed, around the world in general, and also within my life. I don’t really know where to start. But I do miss blogging and just getting my thoughts onto paper. So I'm back! It’s been a while but I think it’ll be just like riding a bike. But first things first, let’s check and see if this thing still actually works and I’m still able to post! Let’s start with this for now.